By GolfDigestME.com
Aspiring young golfers will get the chance to tread the same greens and fairways as their heroes following the introduction of the Junior Dubai Desert Classic.
Organised by the Dubai Desert Classic and sanctioned by the Emirates Golf Federation, the tournament will feature some of the best local, regional, and international talent coming together to experience what it is like to take part in elite competition.
A field of 72 boys and girls, under the age of 18 and with a maximum handicap of 14, will compete in the mixed event over two days on the famed Faldo and Majlis courses at Emirates Golf Club — the weekend before the world’s best battle it out for the Dubai Desert Classic title on the same greens of the Majlis.
Played over 36 holes on January 21 and 22, the event is intended to give young players a taste of what it is like to compete as a professional with all aspects of the tournament mirroring that of the pros — from the courses, to the driving range, locker rooms, and lounges. Falcon and Associates want to inspire future generations of players, and create a competition elite youngsters aspire to play in as part of their golfing journey.
Players will get the exhilarating experience of playing under the lights on the Faldo, before a final day showdown on the Majlis.
General Al Hashmi from the Emirates Golf Federation said: “This is another indication of our commitment to growing the game of golf in the UAE and wider region. We want to encourage the stars of tomorrow and what better way than to treat them like their heroes to get an insight into what it is like to be a tour player.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for players to walk the fairways of two magnificent courses, and use the players’ lounge and locker rooms the weekend before the world’s best will do the same. We want to inspire a generation, and make the Junior Dubai Desert Classic a key milestone on a player’s journey into the professional ranks and hope to see some of the youngsters teeing up in January making a name for themselves on the world stage in years to come.”
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Dubai Desert Classic, added: “We are constantly looking at how we can evolve the Dubai Desert Classic and to introduce the Junior version of the tournament is a natural progression. For young players to take on the Faldo and Majlis courses under championship conditions will be an experience and challenge like never before and a huge step forward in their golfing education.
“The DP World Tour works off principles of innovation and inclusivity and we have both those elements in the Junior Dubai Desert Classic. For us to be able to invite boys and girls to the tournament gives them a chance to showcase their capabilities in a setting which will give them a taste of what it is like to be a professional player, and hopefully we will see them in the full Dubai Desert Classic in the not-too-distant future.”
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